I have a herniated disc in the lower back. I had a nerve block that lasted for about a year. When my symptoms returned I quit sitting. I literally stand, or walk unless sleeping all day except when I am driving. I have been doing the basic exercises in the rebuild your back book for about 4 weeks. I thought I was managing my pain pretty well but if I have to spend anymore than the usual 10 minutes to and from work in the car, I have a major set back for days. I have been back to my orthopedic doctor and he has prescribed loritab but I am only allowed enough for about 4 hours of pain relief a day. He wants me to undergo more physical therapy if I do not get better with these exersises soon but I really cannot afford it. And it didnt seem to help much last time until I had the nerve block done.
Any suggestions from anyone would be appreciated.

Here is my opinion. The Ortho is going to wait and wait and push you through treatment that doesn’t work and he will keep pumping you up on drugs until you have no other choice other than to have surgery. Here is what you need to do. You need to see a chiropractor. A chiropractor is your only option left. I see patients all the time where I am their only hope; their last hope and I fix their problem. “I really wish I would have seen you first.” I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that. You have a herniated disc. It makes no sense at all to “rebuild your back”. You need chiropractic care to correct the disc problem. Once the disc is returned to a normal position your chiropractor will instruct you on the right exercises to perform to stabilize your spine and pelvis. Chiropractors are spinal specialists.

Hugo Posh wrote:Here is what you need to do. You need to see a chiropractor. You need chiropractic care to correct the disc problem. Once the disc is returned to a normal position your chiropractor will instruct you on the right exercises to perform to stabilize your spine and pelvis. Chiropractors are spinal specialists.

Hugo ,

I think tinamemphis5 point is but I really cannot afford it

So I think the cost of Chiro would ALSO be an issue here ?

It makes no sense at all to “rebuild your back”.

I would Politely tend to disagree there , There is very relevant details in the Re-Build your back book , Have you read it ?

Any of our resident Experts out there able to give some more feedback here , I'm NO EXPERT .

Dean / Randolf etc would you care to jump in with some advice / Suggestions ?

I understand the "I can't afford it". Chiropractic care is cheaper than PT and or surgery. He really won't be able to afford it when his condition progresses to the point where he can no longer work.

No, I have not read the Rebuild Book and have no desire to. I know what works through my own experience and training. I am an expert. If a disc is sitting out there pushing on a nerve then what is the point in stabilizing an area that's not functioning properly? The disc needs to go back where it belongs, then stabilization needs to be done to strengthen the area and keep it there.

I have been doing the basic exercises in the rebuild your back book for about 4 weeks.

He has been doing these exercises for 4 weeks. It's not working. The reason it is not working is because of what I said. The problem is the disc, not the muscles surrounding it.

Welcome to the group. I apologize for the angry chiropractor who was so busy trying to start a fistfight that he didn't even bother to notice that you're a woman.

First let's focus on the good news:

The fact that your ortho isn't recommending surgery means the herniation is relatively minor. The fact that he wants to try physical therapy, even at this late date, means he still believes there is a good chance it can be resolved without drastic measures.

It sounds like you've got a good orthopedic surgeon.

As your ortho probably has already explained, something is pinching a nerve in your lower back. It may be this disc, it may be scar tissue from previous injuries, it may be an inflamed facet joint, it may be a bone structure, who knows?

I'm just guessing, but you probably have a minor form of sciatica. (Read Dean's articles and the posts in this forum for more info.)

As long as your pain is not increasing, and you're not experiencing a rapid increase of sciatica type symptoms, you have nothing to worry about. It sounds like your condition is stable and not worsening.

If you were in any danger of permanent nerve damage your ortho would have informed you of this. He would be talking surgery.

So all your options are still open.

Time to start experimenting:

Try not doing any of the forward bending exercises for a week or so. Just do the backward bending (McKenzie extension style) exercises such as the Cobra.

Start experimenting with some of the advanced exercises, preferably the mobilization and decompression exercises. Avoid the sit-up type forward bending exercises until the pain starts to recede.

I could go on, but that's where I would start for now.

If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask. I'm more than willing to help you get through this.

Thank you for your responses. My ortho doctor believes that 90% of herniated discs resolve themselves with physical therapy and exercise. My reoccurance after a pain free year with the nerve block, I brought on myself because I quit doing the routine that the pt gave me because I felt so good. I didnt realize the rebuilding part was so important until I read Dean's book.My ortho doctor has seen the rebuild your back exercises concurred with it and has only recommended doing pt unless I am not getting better. When I wrote that the other night I had spent alot of time in the car and was in major pain. I am actually pain free today.
Dana I will take your advice and add in some of the other exercises.
Thank you for noticing I am female

As far as spending 3 times a week at $50 a pop(pun intended) in the chiropratctor's office, it aint happening.
Tina

Hugo Posh wrote:Tina, what are you paying out of pocket to see an orthopedist and physical therapy per visit?

Since January I have spent $88 for one orthopedic doctor visit and $30 on meds. If you will read my posts I have not started pt. My doctor is seeing if I will get better on my own first. I have spoken to two different chiropractors that are patients of mine and both told me I would need to see them at least 3 times a week probably a minimum of 18 visits before I would see lasting results. I can't afford it even if I wanted to. I can't afford the pt either which is why I was asking for advice here.

tinamemphis5 wrote:but if I have to spend anymore than the usual 10 minutes to and from work in the car, I have a major set back for days.

Tina ,

I completely missed this on the prior posts ( Sorry )

I can relate to that 100% , I have the same issue , The car is a real problem .

Back supports Etc you can purchase to fit in the car are of limited value , I've tried a few in the last 2 years .

I'm looking at a replacement Drivers seat for my car at present , Recaro make some very good Orthopedic car seats , But they are NOT CHEAP , I've had quotes of around $1500 Aust Dollars ( About $1200 USD ) for a good seat with nice lumbar support etc .

Lets face it that is too much $$$$

So I'm looking at sourcing a Second Hand Recaro seat via Ebay to fit into my car , Maybe $250 -> $500 for the seat and the fitments to install into my car .

I know you are not flush with money ( Who Is ) But maybe you could look into car seats that are Back Friendly ?

If you have spare time and you can find a Recaro / Scheel Car seat supplier have a look at what they have , Sit in the trial seats they stock , see what is good for you , And then try and source the same off Ebay !

Not being able to drive for a long period of time is a real DOWNER , If you can find a good seat for you and get the Man of the Home fit it into your car that could make a real difference

I was going to suggest an orthopedic back cushion for your car but a better car seat is also a good idea. We've actually done both.

I have used an orthopedic cushion for several years and I like it. It's all mushed down to fit my back now, but even when it was new it made a big difference.

On the car seat idea, my husband drives a no-frills delivery van that came with standard cheap vinyl, no lumbar support seats. He was able to find "deluxe model" cloth seats with adjustable lumbar support at a local salvage yard for about $150. They bolted right in since they were for the same make and model vehicle.

I'd say try the cushion (mine cost about $15.00) and if that doesn't help or you don't like it, then check the salvage yards and see if you can find something that will work in your car.

I'm glad that you're feeling better. You had me worried with your original message. I hope that you will keep us up on how it's going and feel free to ask any questions you might have.

I have that problem too. I can't sit for more than a few minutes. People don't know how lucky they are. Anyway PT didn't really work for me, and I tried the chiropracter but as my pain worsened, I found that the adjustments actually made things worse rather than better. So that scared me and I stopped. I am seeing an orthopedist for the first time Thursday, and doing Dean's stretches. Anyway sitting is a luxary and once I have that back (no pun intended) I will be so grateful. I am 27 and didn't know how lucky I was before when I had a body that worked.
I'm just doing the best I can. You really have to watch your emotional/physical/spiritual health around this type of thing--It is a real challenge. Also I don't take pain meds cause i'm in recovery.
I am only 4 days into starting Dean's exercises. We'll see...
-Sara

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